APodA supports AHPA's push for equitable Prac Payments for allied health students
1 Apr 2026
Members of APodA's advocacy team and student member Beth Kerr (pictured) travelled to Canberra to support Allied Health Professions Australia's (AHPA) campaign to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment to all allied health students recently.
A petition launched by Independent MP Dr Helen Haines and Senator David Pocock, alongside AHPA, is calling for equitable placement support across all health disciplines.
The problem
Podiatry students must complete extensive mandatory unpaid clinical placements to qualify for registration yet are left to absorb the costs themselves. Lost income, travel, and accommodation add up, and for many students, this financial burden is a real barrier to completing their degree.
The Commonwealth Prac Payment was designed to address this kind of hardship, but it doesn't currently extend to all allied health students.
Why it matters
This is a workforce issue as much as a student one. Driven by an ageing population and rising chronic disease, demand for podiatry services is growing. And with the profession currently facing workforce shortages, there is a strong need for a sustainable pipeline of graduates.
When financial pressure forces students out of their studies, the whole profession and our patients feel it. Equitable prac support means fewer barriers, better completion rates, and a health system that works for everyone.
Where things stand
The petition is live and gaining momentum, with growing cross-party parliamentary support. APodA's presence in Canberra alongside AHPA and student voices sends a clear message: equitable prac support is a national priority for the podiatry profession.
